Spot-signal lamp



11 L 28, 197. H. R. @Ross` ZMW? SPOT-SIGNAL LAMP Filed Sept. l1, 1943 5Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

@ @fyi/Z. 6772056 S s O R G R. H

SPOT-S IGNAL LAMP Filed Sept.-11, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il l mam///again i4.

H. R GROSS SPOT-SIGNAL LAMP Filed Sept. 11, 1945 5VSheets-Sheet 4 MMM@-Jan. 28, 1947. H. R. GROS$ 2,414,807

SPOT-SIGNAL LAMP Filed Sept. 11, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 554 35E INVENToR.

Patented Jan. 28, v1947'r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPOT-SIGNAL LAMPHenry It. Gross, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 11, 1943, Serial No. 501,954

9 Claims. l

This invention relates to .a combined spot and signal light, and moreparticularly to such a device in combination with a gun, or the like,for controlling or determining the aiming of a gun, or the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for discovering a,target and utilizing the position of the target locating means todetermine automatically the aiming of a gun upon that target.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a spot-lightconstruction automatically de termining the proper positioning orfocusing of a gun, or other directable device, upon a target.

The invention contemplates as one of its objects the provision of a gunmounted upon a shiftable base with target locating means shifts ableindependently of said base to locate a target, and constructed toautomatically interlock with the shiftable base to determineautomatically the aiming of the gun uponthe located target A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a combination Search and signallight for use upon a tank and constructed for ready manipulation fromwithin the tank to locate an enemy target; to determine automaticallythe aiming of the tank gun upon the target; to signal; and to facilitatenight driving.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spot-lightsynchronizable with a shiftable gun, l

or other directable device, to insure accurate aiming cr directing ofthe device upon an object or target in the beam of the light.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a portable searchand signal light capable of instantaneous attachment to, or detachmentfrom, a tank, armored car, or other vehicle. Other and further objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein- Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in perspective of a tankembodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged view in vertical section through aspot and signal light constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in elevation of the readily detachableportion of the spot-signal light shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section at right angles toFigure 2 and with a detachable portion of .the light removed andreplaced by a cover;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged View in 55 (Cl. 24S-61.13)

vertical section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged View in horizontal section takensubstantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line 'l-l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of a, mounting stud forming a part ofthe spot-signal light;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged view in vertical section takensubstantially through the line 9 9 of Figure 2 with the lamp unitdirected vertically;

Figure 10 is a view in horizontal section taken substantially along theline IO-l of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along theline Ii-I l of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a View in perspective of a mounting sleeve forming part ofthe spot-signal light;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line l3-I3 of Figure 2;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating the lampunit upon the portable base of the spot-signal light;

Figure 15 is a View in rear elevation of the construction illustrated inFigure 14;

Figure 16 is an enlarged View in vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line l6-I6 of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary View in side elevation and partly in sectionillustrating the portable base of the unit in its releasable support;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation and partly in sectiontaken substantially along the line |8|8 of Figure 1'7 and Figure 19 is aview in generally horizontal section taken substantially along the lineIS-lS of Figure 17.

As shown in Figure 1, a rotatably mounted turret 2 of a tank i carries agun or cannon G mounted thereon, aimed in horizontal direction byrotation of the turret and adjustable in a vertical plane for verticalaiming to the proper range elevation, al1 as is conventional. A combinedspot and signal light 8 is mounted on the turret 2, preferably on ahorizontal ange or skirt IEl of the turret to one side of the gunbarrel, i. e., a distance of about a foot, so that the light will bepositioned in close juxtaposition to the gun barrel without illuminatingthe gun or interfering with the raising and lowering of the gun.

The spot-signal light comprises a lamp unit or head I2, a head portionI4 (Figures 1 to 3 and 9) of a tank carried mounting unit, or a portablemounting unit or pistol grip I6 (Figures 14 to 19).

The tank carried mounting unit comprises, in addition to the headportion Ifl which extends above the turret flange iii, a base I8 and acontrol unit or base portion 2B within the tank and dependent from thebase I3.

The lamp unit or head |2 preferably comprises a sheet metal shell 22having a handle or knob 2d xed to the base or rear of the shell 22. A

. lamp 25 comprises a high-powered lamp bulb (not shown) mounted in areflector shell 28 of conventional form, to which at the open side issecured the usual lens 3|), the lens 3! being afxed to the reflectorshell as by the usual mounting or clamping ring 32. The lamp 26 issupported in the shell 22 by spring clamps 34 and engaging oppositesides of the lens mounting ring 32. The clamp 34 preferably comprises aresilient ring supported in and suitably secured to longitudinal andlateral flanges 3i? and 4U formed at the mouth of the shell 22. Theclamp 36 preferably comprises a sheet metal, generally parabolic annulusand secured to the shell 22 in any suitable manner, as, for example, byinterfitting lugs and slots angularly spaced about the shell and theannulus.

A hood which prevents lateral diversion of rays from the lamp 26comprises a sheet metal shell i2 having strengthening corrugations 44. Aring i6 welded to the shell l2 has a lateral annular ilange EES snuglyembracing the clamping annulus 36. The hood is detachably mounted on theshell 22 through the intermediacy of the clamping annulus 3G andannularly spaced pins 5E) carried by this annulus and spring clamps 52carried by the hood. The spring clamps 52 may comprise metal strapsriveted to the'hood as at Ell and having spring ngers i'ii apertured forthe reception of the pins 59. By bending the free ends of the springnngers 55 outwardly, as shown in Figure 9, means is provided foreiective release of the spring clamps from the pins i] to thereby detachthe hood from the rest of the lamp unit.

The shell 22 is riveted or otherwise secured to, or mounted upon, amounting bracket 58 formed by a casting having a cylindrical boss 60bored to provide a cylindrical opening t2 (Figure 9) to receive amounting stud and a second opening transverse to the opening 62 toreceive a cylinder tid of a releasable locking device 66 by which thelamp unit may be non-rotatably secured to the mounting stud.

The locking device 66 comprises, in addition to the cylinder Sil, a pinGS, the outer end of which has an operating knob lil, the hub portion ofwhich is provided with lugs l2 receivable in companion notches in theclosed, outer end of the cylinder 613. The pin 68 is provided with anintermediate, enlarged part or collar 'Hl slidably fitting the cylinder56. A coil spring 'lli is interposed between the part 'lll and theclosed end of the cylinder normally to urge the pin inwardly intointerlocking engagement in a radial op-ening in the mounting stud. Thecylinder 64 is held against movement with respect to the boss E@ in anyappropriate manner as, for example, by a pin i3. It will be evident thatby exertion of a pull upon the knob 1|), the pin 68 will be movedoutwardly against the action of the spring 16 to release the pin fromthe mounting stud, so that the lamp unit may be detached by outwardmovement axially of the mounting stud.

It should be noted that one terminal of the bulb-receiving socket 8i)(Figure 9) of the lamp 26 is grounded to the shell 22 as by contactstrip 82 and conductor 85.. The other terminal of the lamp engages acontact strip 35 connected by conductor G8 to a contact pin 9E] mountedin the base of the bracket 5B co-axially with the opening 62 andinsulated from the bracket as by sleeve S2. IThe contact pin ditpreferably comprises a sleeve in which is mounted a pin 9d urgedoutwardly by a suitable spring (not shown).

The head portion irl of the tank carried mounting unit is readilyattachable to, and detachable from, the control unit or base portion 20.This control unit or base portie-n 2Q comprises a hollow stud (Figures 5and 8) having enlarged and reduced portions ed and |85, respectively,the reduced portion lili) having at its free end a thread |32. Theenlarged part 33 forms with the reduced part a shoulder lull, and theenlarged part is provided with a longitudinally extending, relativelyshort slot or groove |66, and diametrically aligned slots or keyways m8in its lower edge surface. rhe reduced portion |06 of the hollow studpasses through an opening lli! in the turret riange l5) and is receivedin a threaded opening in the base 53, the baseV i3 being suitablysecured as by welding or otherwise to the upper surface ci the turretflange l. in the base i8 is provided with a truste-conical or taperedbase portion |l2 so as to upset the end convolution or convolutions ofthe thread |02. Hence, the hollow stud will be jammed in position as thestud is threaded into the base to prevent the hollow stud from vibratingloose from the base.

A friction clamp ||ff| (Figures 5 and 10) comprises a sleeve H6 havingan inturned annular flange H8 seating upon the shoulder |84 of thehollow stud Se, The sleeve lili is formed with longitudinally spaced,arcuately extending slots 23, between which the sleeve is formed withoutwardly extending, apertured lugs or ears |22 (Fig. i0), one of whichis threaded for the reception of a wing bolt |24, by means of which thesleeve may be caused to irictionally clamp the enlarged portion of thehollow stud.

The sleeve i iii is also formed with a longitudinally extending boss i2@in eiarnetrically opposed relation to the ears 22. A radial opening orrture Siti through the boss |25 receives a chitch ball |36 urgedinwardly by a spring 32 interposed between the ball and the cap screwi3d threaded into the aperture |28 to retain the spring and ball and toadjustably determine the tension of the spring i322,

A. handle mounting and control housing (Figs. 2, 4;, 5 & 7) is centrallybored to receive the lower end of the head portion Hi and is formed withan enlarged chamber im (Fig. 5). The housing i3@A is also formed with areduced cylindrical portion it@ snugly fitting within the lower end ofthe sleeve 95d and forming an annular positioning shoulder or abutment|452 adapted to abut the lower edge of the sleeve. The reducedcylindrical portion Mii is provided with an annular slot or groove ide(Figure 7) of generally V shape in radial section to receivediametrically opposed positioning, and clamping set screws Mii threadedin suitable apertifes in the sleeve HS adjacent its lower edge. As shownbest in Figure 7, the central bore in. the housing |35 is formed toprovide an intermediate annular shoulder |48 and a longitudinal key lieextending into the bore above the shoulder t8.

A ring gear |52 in the chamber |38 is formed with a hollow-huh portion|55 journaled in the The threaded opening` lower portion of the centralbore of the housing |36 below the shoulder |48. The ring gear |52 issupported in position by the companion ring gear |56 secured to a shaft|58 journaled in the sleeve |60. The sleeve |60 is formed with a reducedend portion I 62 threaded for reception in a radial, threaded bore atthe lower portion of the handle housing. The shaft |58 projects beyondthe sleeve i60 and has secured to its outer end an operating knob or thelike |64.

A manually operable switch |66 is mounted in the chamber |38 as by meansof a screw |68 carried by the housing |36 and threaded into the mountingbracket of the switch`l66. The switch |66 may be of any suitableconstruction, of which one contact is connected to a terminal |12 andthe other contact is connected to an upwardly urged or resilient orspring-pressed pin |14 disposed co-axially with the central bore in thehandle housing |36. The switch is so mounted that the operating lever|16 depends from the handle housing and projects through an enlargedopening or slot |18 in an end closing cap |80 secured in any convenientmanner to the bottom of the handle housing to close the chamber |38. Theterminal |12 of the switch is connected to a wire or lead-in |82, whichextends upwardly of the handle housing through a suitable longitudinalhole (not shown), and from which the wire projects for connection to oneside of a battery or other source of electric energy that is, accordingto the customary practice, grounded at its other side to the metal partsor frame of the tank.

The head portion of the tank carried lamp mounting unit comprises ahousing casting |84 (Figures 2, 3 and 9) having a vertical central borereceiving the upper end of a tube or sleeve |06. The sleeve |86 ispositioned angularly with respect to the head housing I 84 by a pin orset screw E88 carried by the housing and received in a radial opening inthe upper end of the sleeve |86. The housing is also frictionallyclamped to the sleeve by means of a screw |80 threaded in one of twoears |92 (Figure 2) formed by a longitudinal slot |84. A second sleeve|96 is journaled in the sleeve |86 and is formed at its lower end with alongitudinal slot or keyway |98 receiving a key l200 (Figure 7) formedin the hub |54 of the ring gear |52.

At its upper end the sleeve |66 is keyed or pinned as by pin 202 (Figure9) to the hub 264 of a ring gear 206. The gear 206 is mounted in achamber 208 formed in the upper end of the housing |84 and is journaledin the housing by the extension of its hub portion into the upper, i

enlarged end of the central vertical bore through the housing.

An insulated wire, cable, or conduit 2I0 extends through the sleeve |96from one end to the other. At its lower end the wire is bared and thebare wire is soldered or otherwise fixed to a pin 242 (Figure '1),having a cap portion 2 I4 abutting the lower edge of an insulatingsleeve 2I6 surrounding the lower end of the wire 2|0 and the pin 2|2 andsnugly fitted into the lower, enlarged portion of the bore in the sleeve|86, the sleeve 216 abutting at its upper edge an annular shoulder 2I8formed in the bore of the sleeve |96. The cap portion 2 I4 of the pinprovides means for detachably engaging and establishing electricalcontact with the upwardly urged terminal pin |14 of the switch |66.

At its'upper end the wire 2I0 is bared and the y 224 by which the pin issupported upon the upper surface of an insulating sleeve 226 having adepending reduced portion encompassing the upper end of the wire 2|0 andthe pin 222 and snugly fitting within the enlarged portion of the borein the hub of the ring gear 206.

The housing |84 is formed with a lateral arm or extension 228 having avertical slot 230 in its lower surface and with a horizontal slot 232(Figure 11) intersecting the slot 230 and forming spaced ears 234receiving a clamping bolt 236. The extension 228 is provided with acentral bore communicating with the end chamber 208 of the housing |84,and in this bore is mounted a sleeve 238 (Figures 9, 11, and 12).

AThe sleeve 238 is formed with a relatively thin, inner cylindricalportion 240 subdivided into semicylindrical parts by diametricallyopposed, longitudinally extending slots 242. The slots 242 extendinwardly from the free edge of the cylindrical portion 240 to an annularflange or collar portion 244, on the other side of which extends athicker cylindrical portion 246. The annular flange 244 of the sleeve238 abuts the outer edge of the lateral extension 228 of the housing'land the cylindrical portion 240 is formed with a cross slot 248,throughy which the shank of the clamping bolt 236 extends.

A sleeve 250 is journaled in the sleeve 238 and is formed with a,reduced end portion 252 extending beyond the sleeve 238. The sleeve 250is provided with spaced annular anges 254 forming a channel receiving alubricant packing ring 256.

-A ring gear 258 which meshes with the ring gear 206 is provided with ahollow hub portion received in the cylindrical portion 240 of the sleeve236 and keyed thereto as by cross pin 260. A coil spring 262 interposedbetween the inner annular flange 254 and the internal shoulder formed bythe cylinder portion 246 of the sleeve 238 urges the sleeve 256 inwardlyand the gear 258 into meshing engagement with the gear 206.

A sleeve 264 is mounted on the reduced extension 252 of the sleeve 250and cooperates with the latter to form a mounting stud for the lamp unitI2. The sleeve 264 is keyed to the sleeve 250 as by cross pin 266, andis formed with an oiiset annular end portion 268, by which it isjournaled on the sleeve 238 with the inner edge of the sleeve 264abutting the annular flange 244. The sleeve 264 is also provided with aradial opening 213 for receiving the inner end of the releasable lockingpin 68, by means of which the lamp unit is latched to the mounting stud.

Electrical connection is established between the contact pin of the lampunit |2 and the pin 222 in the chamber 208 by a pin 212 slidably mountedin spaced bushings 214 supported by insulating bushings 216 and 218mounted co-axially in the sleeve 250 and the gear 258. A coil spring 280between the outer bushing 214 and an enlarged portion of the pin 212urges the pin inwardly into electrical contacting engagement with thehead portion 224 of the contact pin 222.

The outer end of the pin 212 is exposed for electrical contact with thespring-pressed pin 104.

It will be evident that by adjustment of the clamping bolt 236, thesplit tubular portion 240 of the sleeve 238 will exert a frictionalclamping force on the sleeve 250-the adjustment being such as to holdthe sleeve 250 and the lamp unit I2 against inadvertent rotation whilepermitting their intentional rotation upon manipulation of the knob |64or manual swinging of the lamp unit through manipulation of the knob 24.

The chamber 298 in the upper end of the housing |84 may be closed by acap screw 282.

r)Che base I2) may comprise a generally frustoconical casting secured atits base in any convenient manner to the turret flange Il), and providedwith a central bore extending upwardly from the threaded opening in thelower portion of the casting to receive the sleeve |86. This casting maybe provided with an upper cylindrical portion 285i (Figures 2, 4, 5 and9) having an annular recess or groove 236. When the head portion I4 ofthe lamp mounting unit is removed from the base I8, the central boreinthe base may be closed by a cylindrical cap or cover E38 having anannular flange 29|) fitting about the cylindrical portion 384 of thebase, and this cover may be provided with a spring,f clip 292 havingr aneyelet 294 for receiving one end of a chain 295 affixed at its base atits opposite end to the eyelet 2% threaded into the base I8.

-The clip 292 is preferably formed with latching fingers l received indiametrically opposed openings in the flange 29D of the cover, the clipbeing preferably of round stock and the spring fingers normally spacedapart a distance less than the diameter of the head of the cover 28e,with the spring fingers projecting inwardly of the cap into the annularnotch 28S, so that the cover is latched to the cylindrical part 284 ofthe base, but, when the clip is swung to the posit-ion above the cap asshown in Figure 1l, the head of the cap forces the spring fingers apartand withdraws them from the groove 235 so that the cap may be removedfrom the base.

A casting 362 having a cylindrical portion 304,

similar to the portion 234, and an annular recess or groove 3GB, issecured to the turret flange I!) to one side of the base I8 to receivethe cover when the head portion of the lamp mounting unit is inserted inthe base, as shown in Figure Yhe sheet metal hood 42 of the lamp unit l2is preferably provided with aligned front and rear ights 35e and 31](Figure 13) secured as by rivets 3|2 to the hood shell 42 andpositioned, as shown in Figure 2, at the forward and rear edges of thehood. l

In assembling a lamp mounting unit on the tank. the hollow stud 96(Figure 5) is threaded into the i3 from within the tank until the end ofthe stud reaches the tapered bottom poroi' the threaded opening in thebase. Thereafter a tool having key projections fitting into the l: ywaysG3 in the bottom of the hollow stud, and cross handle or other partwhich may be used asa positioning indicator, is employed to turn thhollow stud and to forcibly the upper end of the threaded hole in thebase, which by upsets the last thread convolution or convo tions of thethread ol the hollow stud so as toV positively lock the hollow studagainst looseninf; under vibration of the tank, and this turning iscontinued until the tool handle or other .positioning indicator revealsthat the slot or longitudinal groove me in the surface of the hollowstud faces in the same direction as the muzzle of the The sleeve IIShaving been mounted on the hollow stud 9b before it is threaded into thebase is then rotated until the clutch ball |33 is seated in the groove|95 and the friction clamp is then adjusted by the wing holt 12e toclamp the sleeve lll to the hollow stud. The handle housing |36 is thenVinserted'in the bottom ofthe sleeve Ile and the set screws |45 adjusteduntil they seat in the annular groove f support for the vhandle housing.

|44 of the housing. The handle, operating gears and the switch may bemounted in the handle housing either before or after assembly of thehandle housing with the sleeve IIE, as may be most convenient. Thesemechanisms being secured to the handle housing, the lower portion of thelamp mounting unit is now ready for the insertion of the head portion I4of the unit. This head portion is inserted from a position externally ofthe tank by pushing the sleeve |36 through the central bore o the basei8 and rotating the head portion until the keys I and 20|) (Figure 7)are received in the companion key slots 3| 3 and |95 in the outer-sleeve |85 and the inner sleeve la, and the sleeve |86 is seated uponthe annular shoulder i438 in the central bore of the handle housing.When the sleeve |86 is thus positioned, a radial opening Sill (Figures 3and 5 to 7) is aligned with a pin BIG having an operating head or knob32B, the pin being normally urged into the opening 354 by a spring strip32|). The spring strip 32! is apertured at its upper end to receive thepin and bears against an annular collar or fiange 322 secured to, orformed upon, the pin. This spring strip is also provided with anaperture in itslower portion to receive the reduced threaded shank E52of the handle sleeve i Se, by means oi which the strip is secured to thehandle housing. The pin 3io may be released from the opening 3M in thesleeve ISS by a pull exerted on the knob 3 i 3, and it may be held inthis position. by a cross pin 3243 normally received in a slot in thehandle housing, but which upon rotation of the pin engages the outer,adjacent edge of the housing, and thus prevents inward movement of thepin under the action of the spring strip 326. The pin Slt serves asmeans for releasably latching the head portion I4 of the lamp mountingunit to the base portion of that unit.

The lamp unit i2 may then be mounted on th head portion te by placingthe boss 6|) of the bracket 5t over t le sleevel, and then turning theknob IS until the lugs 'lrare aligned with the complementary notches inthe cylinder 6d, whereupon the spring 'i6 orces the pin "38 outwardlywhen the pin is aligned withlthe opening 27? in the sleeve. Itis thennecessary'toprecisely align the lamp unit with the gun, the approximatealignment Vhaving been. originally yattained by causing the slot ittinthe hollcw'stud 'S5 to face in the same direction as the miizlo of thegun. This precise alignment is. effected by rotating the handle housing13,6 reiative to the'sleeve IIS, the partially tight set 4screws illeserving asa Itwill be evi dent, of course, that asthe handle housing isturned, the sleeve .id consequently the head portion ie aresimultaneously rotated to swing the lamp unit i2 in a horizontal plane.vV-.-fvhenthe proper precise alignmenthas been attained, as determined bysighting the lamp and the gun upon a common target 'within a point-blankrange or an average range, as may be desired, the set screws i6 areiully tightened to maintain the handle housing in such angular relationto the sleeve H6 of the friction clamp lift. VrThe lamp is nowsynchronized with the gun in a hori zontal plane and shell tired bythegun at point-blank range, or ranges approximating the average range,will hit-whatever targetmay be in the light beam.

In locating the` target at night, the friction clamp I4 is released topermit horizontal swing7 lng of the lamp independently of the'hollowmounting stud es, and hence independently of :he

turret and gun. The horizontal swinging of the lamp is accomplished byswinging the knob |84 in a horizontal plane to rotate the handle housingand the friction clamp about the axis of the hollow stud. This rotationof the handle housing is transmitted through the key |53 (Figure '7) tothe sleeve |88, and through the sleeve to the housing |84 of the headportion I4 to effect swinging of the lamp about the vertical axis of thesleeve. The target having been located, rotation of the turret isinitiated. During this rotation of the turret, the knob |84 is swung tocompensate for the turret rotation and to maintain the targetilluminated by the lamp. When the gun, due to the rotation of theturret, becomes aimed at lthe target illuminated by the lamp, the clutchball |38 snaps into the groove |83 of the hollow stud 58, for the groove|38 always faces in the same direction as the muzzle of the gun. Thesnapping of the ball into the groove may be felt, and observed by theoperator or gunner for, as the ball falls into the groove, immediatelythe rotating turret will begin to swing the handle which is gripped bythe operator or gunner. At the same time the lamp will begin to movewith the turret and across the target. The turret is immediately7stopped; the friction clamp tightened to hold the lamp and gun upon thetrack; the lamp then extinguished by opening the switch |83; and the gunis then red.

When the target is a moving one, the rotation of the turret may becontinued to move the gun and lamp in synchronisrn after the clutch ballhas dropped into the groove |55, the lamp remaining energized for ashort period to assure the proper synchronization of the movement of thegun with the target. This having been attained, the switch |88 is thenoperated to extinguish the lamp and the gun fired.

Once the ball |33 has dropped into the groove |06 and the friction clamptightened to hold that relation, the gun will necessarily be accuratelydirected upon any target illuminated by the lamp. The synchronizedposition of the gun and lamp may be adjusted in the eld by loosening theopposed set screws and swinging the handle housing relative to thefriction clamp until the precise synchronization of the lamp and gun isagain attained.

The lamp unit may be swung to locate a target in a vertical plane byrotation of the knob about a horizontal axis, thus rotating the shaft|58 and the ring gear |58, this rotation of the ring gear |58 beingtransmitted to the lamp unit through the ring gear |52, sleeve |38, thering gear 238, the ring gear 253, the sleeve 254, the sleeve 284, thepin 88, and the bracket 58 to effect vertical movement of the lamp unit.The positioning of the lamp in a vertical plane when illuminating atarget, will not always directly indicate the angle to which the gun isto be elevated before firing upon the target since a shell or missilehas a curved trajectory. However, it may be desirable to aid indetermining the proper angle `or elevation of the gun and for otherpurposes to provide the operator or gunner with an indication of theangle of inclination of the lamp unit relative to the normal horizontalplane of the operating handle. The rotatable knob |84 and the adje* centsleeve |68, may, therefore, be provided with appropriate scales orindicia for indicating the angle through which the knob has ,beenrotated in terms of the angleof inclination of the lamp unit.

During daylight or whenever the lamp is not required, the lamp unit andalso the head portion I4 of the lamp mounting unit may be readilyremoved and stored within the tank. The lamp unit can be instantlyremoved by pulling out the pin 68 to withdraw it from the opening 210 inthe sleeve 284, and then pulling the lamp unit oli the end of thatsleeve. The head portion I4 may be removed, with or without the lampunit, by rst merely pulling the pin 3 I8 out of the opening 3I4 in thesleeve |88, and then pulling upwardly on the head housing |34, and thusthe sleeve |88, the sleeve |98, and cable 2IG are simultaneouslywithdrawn from the aligned central bores of the handle housing |35, thehollow stud 93, and the base i8. The head portion I4 of the lampmounting unit and the lamp unit I2 are instantaneously replaceable forimmediate action by merely inserting the head portion into the base andpushing downwardly thereon until the sleeve |88 is bottomed by abutmenton the annular shoulder |43 in the central bore of the handle housing,after which the pin 3I8 is released for inward movement by the spring328 into the opening 3I4 in the sleeve |88.

To seal the central opening in the base and compensate for manufacturingtolerances, the sleeve |88 is provided with metal washers 328 and 328(Figure 9), between which is interposed a soft, `flexible washer 33Bpreferably of rubber. The washer 328 may be snugly tted on the sleeve toprevent the washers from dropping oil the sleeve. The washer 338 ispreferably of such normal thickness that, when the sleeve |88 isbottomed upon the annular shoulder |43, the washer will be compressed sothat the base opening is sealed, vibrations absorbed, and compensationoiered for dimensional diierences due to manufacturing tolerances.

The lamp unit I2 is preferably stored within the tank upon the portablemounting unit or pistol grip I8 (Figures 14 and 19). This portablemounting unit comprises a hollow casting 332 in the form of a pistolgrip having an integral lamp supporting arm 334 apertured to receive astud 335, the stud having an enlarged portion 338 above the supportingarm 334. The portion 338 is formed with a radial opening 340, an axialopening 342, and an opening 344 angularly intersecting the opening 342and extending to the surface of the supporting arm 334. Theradialopening 340 is adapted to receive the .pin 68 of the releaseable lockingdevice 86, by means of which the lamp unit I2 may be detachably securedto the stud 335. The openings 342 and 344 provide a passage for theinsulated wire cable or conduit 348 which extends through an opening 348in the arm 334.

A contact pin 350 which is mounted in an insulating bushing 352 set intothe upper end of the axial opening 342, is soldered to the bare wire ofthe insulated wire 348 and serves to establish electrical connectionbetween the wire and the contact pin 30 of the lamp unit. The wire 346extends into the chamber 354 of the casting 332 and is connected to oneterminal 355 of a switch 358 mounted in the chamber in anysuitablemanner as by bolts 388 and 332. The other terminal l354 of theswitch is connected to a Wire 385 Vof a two-wire cable 388 extendingfrom the bottom of the casting 332 to a spring return cable reel 318(Figures l5, 17 and 18). The wire 312 of the cable 338 is a groundingwire and is connected to the bolt 382 to establish a ground connectionthrough the pistol grip to the lamp unit. The switch 358 may comprise aspring blade 314 normally holding the switch contacts in open positionbut movable under the action of a trigger 316 to close the switchcontacts.

The trigger may comprise a slide block preferably of insulating materialslidably mounted in the pistol grip and projecting therefrom beneath thearm 334 in position for ready grasping and manipulation by an operatorsiinger. The slide block or trigger is urged outwardly to permit theswitch to be opened by its spring blade 326 by a coil spring 37S bearingupon the trigger and against the housing casting. The trigger isprovided with a depending lug 380 for manipulating the switch operatingblade 37kt. One or both sides of the pistol grip may be opened, as mostconveniently manufactured, and the o-pen side or sides may be closed bya cover or covers 3&2 fastened by screws to the housing casting 332.

The reel 319 may comprise a housing 384 mounted on the bracket 386, inturn bolted to a bracket 388 mounted in any suitable place within thetank in a fixed position. The wire 353 passes through the shelf of thebracket 386 and the reel housing through a bushing 39!! and is coiledabout a spring returned drum 352 mounted for rotation on an axle 394.The grounding wire 3'4"'2 may be directly connected to the drum andgrounded thereby through the reel and bracket to the tank frame whilethe wire 3% is connected in the conventional manner through a wiper (notshown) to the lead (not shown) extending through the axle and connectedto a wire ist, connected to the ungrounded side of the battery or othersource of electric energy carried by the tank.

The portable unit IS may be detachably mounted on the bracket 388 by theclamp 393 comprising a U-shaped base part 490 bolted at its base to thebracket 388, and provided at its free edges with ears 4&2 receivingpivot pins tibi and 496. A latch may be pivoted by the pin 404 to oneear 02 while the keeper H0 is pivoted to the other ear by the pin 696.The keeper may comprise a rod or heavy wire bent in the form i a U,having the ends of its arms inturned to form the pivot pin 405.

The latch Q68 may comprise a strap It i2 pivoted by the pin '304i to oneear 602 and a strap Iii@ hinged to the strap M2 and formed adjacent thehinge with a reversely bent latching lug li l5. The portable unit I6being inserted in the base part 403, the clamp 398 being open is thensecured by moving the straps 4|2 and M4 inwardly from the position shownin dash lines in Figure 19 to position in which the strap H2 is shown infull lines in this figure, and the open side of the latching lug M6faces outwardly to receive the cross bar of the rod keeper 410. Thestrap 4M is then moved rearwardly to the full line position in Figure 19t0 cause the latching lug to encompass the received cross bar of thekeeper. The base part 46D is extended vertically along the bracket 388and provided at its upper and lower ends with lateral flanges M8 and 420to receive and support the portable unit i6, as shown in Figures 17 and18.

It will be evident that the portable unit or pistol grip I6 providesready mounting means for storing the lamp unit I2 within the tank and afull portable control mount for the lamp unit, by which it may be usedas a portable searchlight or signalling device when the supply cablewithdrawn -from the reel.

It will be evident that applicant has provided a combined spot andsignal light for controlling 12 the aiming of a gun or the like upon atarget; means for discovering a target and utilizing that means for theproper aiming of the gun or other directable device upon that target; agun. mounted on a shiftable base with target locating meansautomatically synchronizablc with the gun, a combination search andsignal light mounted on a tank for ready manipulation to locate an enemytarget and determine automatically the aiming oi the tank gun; tosignal; and to facilitate night driving; and also a portable search andsignal light capable of instantaneous attachment to, or detachment from,a tank, armored car, or 1r vehicle for immediate use for any of saidpurposes.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages will be understood from the foregoing illustrativedescription, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in theform, construction and arrangement of the several parts withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacricing any ofits attendant advantages, the form herein described being a, preferredembodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A spot-light mounting unit for a tank having a gun turret, a hollowstud rigidly fixed to a wall of the gun turret and extending into thetank, a sleeve rotatable on said stud, a rod extending through saidhollow stud and the wall of the gun turret to support the spot-light,control means with which said rod is detachably associated at its innerend for rotating said rod, means for synchronizing the spot-light withthe gun, said last mentioned means comprising means for automaticallyconnecting the sleeve to the stud to indicate that the gun and lamp arein certain relative positions, and means adjustably connecting thesleeve to the control means for rotation synchronously with said rod andto adjustably predetermine said relative positions of the gun and lamp.

2. A spot-light for a tank having a gun turret, a hollow stud iixed to aWall of the turret in juxtaposition to the gun, clutch means having onepart carried by the stud in fixed position relative to the gun, a memberrotatable on said stud and carrying the other clutch part, said clutchparts being automatically engageaole and disengageable to `prevent andpermit relative rotation of said stud and member, releasable means forlocking said stud and member against relative movement upon engagementof said clutch part to look the member in predetermined positionrelative to the gun, relatively rotatable sleeves passing through saidstud and the wall of the turret, a lamp unit connected to said sleevesexternally of the turret for rotation and revolution .by said sleeves,operating means within the turret, connections between said operatingmeans and one of said sleeves for revolving said lamp unit, anadjustable connection between said operating means and said member foreffecting rotation of said member about said stud synchronously withsaid one sleeve, said adjustable connection being adjusted tosynchronize the lamp unit with the gun when the clutch parts areengaged, whereby the engagement of said clutch parts after an object hasbeen located -by said lamp unit determines the direction of the gun uponthe object, and said operating means including means for rotating theother sleeve to rotate the lamp unit.

3. A spot-light for a tank having a gun turret, a hollow stud xed to awall of the turret in 'amasar juxtaposition to the gun, clutch meanshaving one part carried by the stud in fixed position relative to thegun, a member rotatable on said stud and carrying the other clutch part,said clutch parts being automatically engageable and disengageable toprevent and permit relative rotation of said stud and member, releasablemeans for locking said stud and member against relative movement uponengagement of said clutch parts to lock the member in predeterminedposition relative to the gun, relatively rotatable sleeves passingthrough said stud and the wall of the turret, a lamp unit connected tosaid sleeves externally of the turret for rotation and revolution bysaid sleeves, operating means within the turret, connections between.said operating means and one of said sleeves for revolving said lampunit, an adjustable connection between said operating means and saidmember for effecting rotation of said member about said studsynchronously with said one sleeve, said adjustableA connection beingadjusted to synchronize the lamp unit with the gun when the clutch partsare engaged, whereby the engagement of said clutch paits after an objecthas been located by said lamp unit determines the direction of the gunupon the object, said operating means including means for rotating theother sleeves to rotate the lamp unit, and electrical supply meansincluding electrical conductor means eX- tending through said sleevesfor connection to said lamp unit, and a control switch carried by saidoperating means.

4. In a device of the character described, a lamp unit, a head housingcomprising means for rotatably supporting said lamp unit and a pair ofinteriitting sleeves, the first of which is connected to said lamp unitfor rotating said lamp unit on rotation of the sleeve and the second ofwhich is connected to said head housing for rotating said head housingto revolve the lamp unit on rotation of the sleeve, a hollow memberadapted for xed attachment to a shiftable support, said sleevesprojecting through said hollow member, a member rotatably mounted onsaid hollow member, a clutch having automatically engageable anddisengageable parts for connecting said members in one position todetermine the position of the rotary member relative to the hollowmembers, operating means for said sleeves, said operating meansincluding an operator constructed. for automatic connection to thesecond sleeve in xed angular relation and disconnection at will,manually operable means for locking said second sleeve and said operatoragainst disconnection, means for adjustably connecting said operator tosaid rotary member to align the lamp unit in fixed relation to theshiftable support when the clutch parts are engaged, and releasablemeans for locking said rotaryT member, said operator, said secondsleeve, and said lamp unit against movement relative to said hollowmember, said operating means including a second operator for rotatingthe first sleeve to effect rotation of the lamp.

5. A spot-light comprising a lamp unit, a supporting unit comprising ahead housing, said head housing having intersecting bores, a rotarysleeve mounted in one bore, means for mounting said lamp unit on saidsleeve, releasable means for locking said lamp unit against rotationrelative to said sleeve, a rod mounted in and insulated from said hollowsleeve and exposed for electrical contact with the lamp unit, an elec-14: trical conductor in the other bore of the head housing, a tubesurrounding said conductor, intermeshing gears mounted in the bores andsecured to said sleeve and said tube, respectively, a contact membersecured toa free end of the conductor within the head housing forengagement by said rod, and control means spaced from said head housing,said tube and said conductor extending to said control means, a secondtube surrounding the rst tube and secured to said head housing, saidsecond tube extending to said control means, said control meansincluding means for rotating the first mentioned tube to effect rotationof the lamp unit, means for rotatiner the second tube vto rotate thehead housing and revolve the lamp unit, and means for controlling asupply of electrical energy to said conductor to control theenergization oi said lamp unit.

6. In a vehicle spot-light, control means adapted to be mounted in thevehicle, said control means comprising a handle housing having achamber, a control switch in said chamber, said housing having a firstbore therein communicating with said chamber, said switch having aresiliently mounted terminal aligned with the axis of the bore, saidhousing having an abutment extending into said bore, a key projectinginto said bore above said abutment, ahollow gear rotatably mounted insaid housing co-axiaily with said bore, said housing having a secondbore cornmunicating with said chamber and extending at an angle to thefirst bore, a handle comprising a sleeve, an operating shaft journaledin said sleeve, `said sleeve being secured to said housing with saidshaft extending into said chamber, a second gear carried by said shaftintermeshing with and supporting the first gear, said first gear havinga key extending into its central bore, a lamp unit, means for supportingsaid lamp unit, said supporting means comprising a head housing, meansfor rotatably mounting said lamp unit on said head housing for rotationrelative thereto and for revolution therewith, said mounting unitcomprising an outer sleeve secured to said head housing and projectingtherefrom for insertion into the first bore of said handle housing, saidouter sleeve having an open keyway receiving the first mentioned key inthe handle housing upon insertion of the sleeve thereinto to connect thesleeve to the handle housing for rotation therewith, an inner sleevepassing through the first sleeve and projecting therefrom for insertioninto the central bore or' the first gear, said second sleeve beingrotatably supported in said head housing and having an open keyway forthe reception of the key in the bore of the first gear to connect thesleeve to the gear for rotation therewith, an electric conductor in thesecond sleeve insulated therefrom and projecting beyond the oppositeends of the second sleeve, a contact button secured to the free end ofthe conductor for engaging the resiliently mounted switch terminal inthe chamber of the handle housing, means in the head housing foroperatively connecting the inner sleeve to the lamp unit and causingrotation of the lamp unit with the sleeve, and means for locking theouter sleeve to the handle housing, said locking means being releasableto permit withdrawal of the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve and theconductor from the handle housing by movement axially of the rst bore inthe handle housing.

7. A spot light comprising a hollow mounting stud, clutch means havingone part carried by the 15 stud in fixed position relative to the stud,a member rotatably mounted on said stud and carrying the other clutchpart, said clutch parts being automatically engageable and disengageableto prevent and permit relative rotation of said stud and member,manually releasable means for locking said stud and member againstrelative rotation on engagement of said clutch parts to lock the memberin predetermined position relative to the stud, relatively rotatablesleeves passing through said stud, a lamp unit connected to one end ofsaid sleeves for rotation and revolution by said sleeves, operatingmeans at the other end of said sleeves, and connected to one of saidsleeves for revolving said lamp unit, an adjustable connection betweensaid operating means and the member which is rotatable on the stud foreffecting rotation of said member about said stud synchronously withsaid one sleeve, said adjustable connection being adjusted topredetermine the angle of direction of the lamp when the clutch partsare engaged, and said operating means including means for rotating theother sleeve to rotate the lamp unit.

8. In combination With a supporting wall having an aperturetherethrough, a supporting column supported in said aperture, a lampsupported on said column at said side of said Wall, a housing carried bysaid column at the other side of said wall, said column being separablefrom said housing, a drive gear in said housing, a shaft in said columnand removably splined in said gear, a latch for attaching said column tosaid housing, Wiring extending through said column to said lamp andhaving a bare end in said housing, and a spring-pressed contact in saidhousing and engaging said bare end.

9. A spot-light comprising a hollow member adapted to be mounted on asupport, a lamp unit, a second hollow member extending through the firsthollow member from one end thereof and on which said lamp unit isrotatably secured, a control housing rotatably mounted on the firsthollow member on the other end thereof, the second hollow member andsaid control housing being constructed for attachment by insertion ofthe second hollow member axially into the rst holloaT member from saidone end of the latter, releasable means for locking the second hollowinemberand the control housing against relative movement, operatingmeans in the control housing and including an operating memberprojecting from said housing, Vsaid operating means including a drivemember mounted in said housing for rotation relative thereto, a tubularmember mounted in said second hollow member and rotatable relativethereto and constructed for attachment to said drive member by insertionof the second hollow member axially into the rst hollow member from saidone end of the latter, drive means connecting the tubular member to thelamp unit for rotating the lalter relative to the second hollow member,electric control means carried by said control housing, and electricconductor means carried by and extending within the tubular member andconnected to said lamp unit and constructed for electrical attachment tothe electric control means upon insertion of the second hollow memberaxially into the first hollow member'from the said one end of thelatter.

HENRY R. GROSS.

